“You cannot shake hands with a clenched fist.” ~Indira Gandhi

Amid increasing world tensions and international divisions, I’d like to shift the conversation from one of internal threat to that of external unity.

“While you are proclaiming peace with your lips, be careful to have it even more fully in your heart.” ~Francis of Assisi

I want to write something about creating peace in our own hearts before we can create peace in the world. I want to write something new, something powerful, something meaningful.

 “An eye for an eye only ends up making the whole world blind.” ~Mahatma Gandhi

But brilliance escapes me and the words seem too slow to make a difference.

“Peace is a journey of a thousand miles and it must be taken one step at a time.” ~Lyndon B. Johnson

So, I look to the words of leaders whom I admire, the ones who despite political differences or ideological divides, managed to forge new alliances and break new ground.

“Those who make peaceful revolution impossible will make violent revolution inevitable.” ~John F. Kennedy

And I think of all the people who have backed up their words with their lives.

“Better than a thousand hollow words, is one word that brings peace.” ~Buddha

And then I remember.

“When the power of love overcomes the love of power, the world will know peace.” ~Jimi Hendrix

There is only one way to create peace in the world.

“All you need is love.” ~John Lennon

Find it first in yourself.